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Special
international competition to debut at APHA World Championship
Paint Show
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FORT
WORTH, Texas-The World Championship Paint Horse Show, set for June
20-July 3 in Fort Worth, Texas, will feature more international
competition than ever before, with the debut of the Youth Paint
World Games.
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Barrel
racing will be an exciting part of the action at the Youth
Paint World Games, to debut at the 2004 World Championship
Paint Horse Show. (APHA photo/Paul Cañada)
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Youth
from all nations are invited to participate in this special competition,
which will take place on the first day of the World Show. Teams
will compete in four categories-barrel racing, reining, showmanship
and horsemanship. As many as four riders and one alternate will
make up each team and the horses will be randomly drawn prior to
the contest. In addition to the thrill of international competition,
youth will have the opportunity to explore the many similarities
they have with Paint Horse admirers from many nations around the
world.
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The
World Championship Paint Horse Show gives exhibitors from
around the world the chance to showcase the talents of their
horses. (APHA photo)
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Along
with the new Youth Paint World Games, the 2004 American Paint Horse
Association (APHA) World Championship Paint Horse Show will offer
a wide variety of other events and activities, making it the biggest
and the best Paint Horse show ever held.
An
annual non-qualifying event open to all APHA Regular Registry horses
and Breeding Stock halter mares, the World Show will include 166
classes, five challenge series classes, three sweepstakes events,
three select sales, a trade show and many other special activities.
Exhibitors will demonstrate their skills in halter, Western, English,
cattle, driving and speed classes.
During the first week of World Championship Paint Horse Show, young
exhibitors compete in a variety of activities, including Youth Steer
Stopping. (APHA photo)
World
Show activities are held in the three major arenas and in other
areas throughout the 85-acre Will Rogers Memorial Center, which
is located in the heart of Fort Worth's cultural district.
Approximately
2,000 horses are expected to compete for more than $250,000 in total
payouts at this year's show. Last year, 1,850 horse competed, with
more than 4,700 entries logged-1,482 in open competition, 1,475
in youth, 1,037 in amateur, 466 in novice amateur, and 260 in futurity
and special classes.
A
full two weeks of excitement
The first week of the show is dedicated to youth activities, including
the world's largest comprehensive judging contest for youngsters,
sponsored by Hart Trailers. Approximately 400 youth are expected
to participate in the judging. Other activities include a youth
team tournament during which American Junior Paint Horse Association
(AjPHA) members compete both on and off their horses. The Team Tournament
will feature four team-oriented events: Hippology, Parade of Teams,
Performance Classes, and a new relay event. The relay will test
youth exhibitors both mentally and physically as they complete an
obstacle course with horse-related challenges. From assembling a
bit to filling a water bucket, the course will be a fun challenge
for youth team.
Exciting
open, novice amateur and amateur competition will take place during
the second week of the show.
APHA
will continue the Bank One Challenge Series. The Series will include
the 3-Year-Old Western Pleasure Challenge, 3-Year-Old Hunter Under
Saddle Challenge, 3-Year-Old Reining Challenge, 3-Year-Old Cutting
Challenge and 4-Year-Old Cutting Challenge. Exhibitors will compete
for cash prizes in these events.
The
Team Penning Sweepstakes will also be back by popular demand this
year. In addition, the 2004 World Show will feature the Winnebago
Freestyle Reining Sweepstakes, as well as the Bridleless Western
Pleasure Sweepstakes.
Also
during the show, APHA will sponsor a World Showcase Sale, with sessions
featuring some of the best yearlings, mares, geldings and stallions
on the market.
Colors
of the West Trade Show
Always a popular attraction, the Colors of the West Trade Show will
be bigger and better than ever before, with an expanded sales area
in the Amon G. Carter Exhibits Hall. APHA General Store merchandise,
including 2004 World Show collector apparel, will also be available
in the trade show area.
The
trade show offers the finest in Western and English apparel, as
well as tack, art, equine supplies, furniture, barns, trucks, trailers
and a wide variety of other products.
APHA
partners add value to the World Show
APHA will partner this year with a select group of companies who
offered World Show contestants a total cash and product package
valued at more than $400,000. Those sponsoring partners included
the following.
Corporate
sponsors: BMB Tack; Barnmaster, Inc.; Bank One; Gist Silversmiths;
Hart Trailer Manufacturing; Markel Insurance Company and The Kent
Group.
World
Show sponsors: Boulet Western Boots, Jerry's, Metro Golf Cars, Pro
Stepps, Charlotte's Saddlery, Western Horseman magazine and Winnebago
Industries.
Associate
sponsor: Hodges Badge Company, Inc.
For
more information
For more information about the World Show, including a complete
schedule, list of accommodations, entry details and visitor information,
visit www.aphaworldshow.com. You may also call APHA at (817) 834-2742.
www.apha.com.
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